School board names Knight as interim superintendent

Retired Sidney Fenn Elementary Principal David Knight has been tapped to serve as interim superintendent for Medina Schools.

“Dave has agreed to step forward, help us out … help the kids out,” school board President Karla Robinson said in making the announcement Tuesday evening. “He is such a good person for stepping forward into this difficult position.”

Knight, who retired last year, will take over immediately.

The board met for about 90 minutes in a closed-door executive session before resuming the open meeting and voting unanimously to approve the appointment.

The school district has been without a superintendent since April 8, when Randy Stepp was placed on paid leave, pending a special state audit of his use of district money from a “carryover” fund held by the Medina County Schools’ Educational Service Center.

The board has been under mounting public criticism since early March for approving a new contract for Stepp that provided him an $83,000 signing bonus.

Last week the board voted to rescind Stepp’s contract — a move Stepp has said he would fight in court. His old contract, signed in February 2009, runs through July 2014.

Immediately after the decision was announced, a smiling John Leatherman, president of the Medina City Teachers Association, told board members they had made a good decision in picking Knight.

“We already know him and like him,” Leatherman said. “He always gave a feeling of family and that’s a feeling we all need right now.”

Knight also has the support of parents. Earlier this month, the Parent Teacher Organization at Sidney Fenn asked the district to name the playground at the elementary school after him. Knight served as Sidney Fenn’s principal for 21 years. The PTO also purchased a train for the playground in his honor.

“Mr. Knight awakened children to learning beyond the formal classroom,” PTO Co-President Jennifer Anzalone said. “He provided teams for students to get involved with to give back, learn a new sport or skill, be challenged or just to be a part of something bigger.”

Robinson declined to say how many people were considered for the interim superintendent’s post.

“It’s a difficult thing to ask people to do,” she said.

Robinson said Knight verbally agreed to serve in the position.

She said the written contract, to run through June 30, will be drafted and “we will approve it publicly at an upcoming meeting.”

How much Knight will be paid hasn’t been worked out yet, Robinson said.

“Dave Knight’s true north is serving kids and that’s what we need to re-focus our energy on in this district,” she said.

Robinson became emotional during the announcement, and thanked all the district staff for their support and dedication.

“We’re so grateful to our administrative team, our teachers and our support staff because this is a difficult time to be associated with Medina City Schools,” she said.

Knight is expected to begin work in Medina immediately, but Robinson said he may have to spend a few days finishing up some part-time work with Mapleton Schools in Ashland County. Robinson said Mapleton officials are aware he was interested in serving as interim superintendent and will work with him to accommodate his requirements in Medina while he finishes up his Mapleton contract.

“They’re willing to work with him to make it work for all of us,” she said.

Knight will face some immediate challenges. The board plans to meet Tuesday to consider approving teacher contracts and renewals. Next month, the board will meet again to consider approving administrative contracts.

Robinson also said Knight will be responsible for overseeing final graduation arrangements and other graduation events.

“We really couldn’t have waited any longer,” Robinson said. “He will be very busy in the coming months.”

Loren Genson is The Gazette's senior reporter. She covers Brunswick city and state and national government. She's been with The Gazette since August 2012. Contact her at (330) 721-4063 or via email at lgenson@medina-gazette.com.